Magnolia's Fall From Grace

Chapter 2

Magnolia

I followed the line of volunteers loading their bags into the bus undercarriage. I immediately felt that familiar knot. The girls giggled and smiled, making instant friends. They were dressed in fun clothes and checking out the boys who were also forming groups. I scanned my floral high-waisted khaki shorts and pale-peach, button-down, short-sleeve shirt, as well as the brown loafers that matched my belt. I stuck out like a sore thumb. The girls had on makeup and fancy dangling earrings and their hair was done in fun styles. My pale-blonde waves were twisted and secured into a tight bun, my face was bare, and small pearl studs that I got for my fifteenth birthday adorned my lobes. Boring.

My stomach tightened as I approached the bus with my small canvas purse and books in hand. I stepped onto the coach and searched through the aisle for an empty spot as people scrambled to find their friends. Eyes roved up and down me as I came to each seat, not feeling at all welcome.

"Sorry." I was nudged out of the way as seats were quickly filled.

I found an empty space next to a girl who looked more out of place than I did.

"May I?" I smiled gently at the mousy brown-haired girl with a mouthful of metal braces and thick glasses. I expected her to be happy at my asking, but instead, she rolled her eyes as she moved her bag over. This should be a fun eight hours.

"I'm Maggie." I offered her my hand.

"Shannon," she said flatly as she dug out her yellow Walkman and loaded a cassette.

The humidity immediately had my legs sticking to the grimy vinyl seats. The chatter was so loud I could barely focus on the book I was reading about Louisiana bayous and swamplands. The sheer amount of dangerous wildlife was terrifying at first, but once I put some time into learning about the snakes and gators, they didn't seem quite as scary. I tried to stretch my back and get comfortable enough to nap for a bit. But then a satisfied smile spread on Shannon's face as she opened her Walkman and flipped the cassette.

"Don't ya just love Axl Rose?" She held her Walkman to her chest with a closed-eyed smile.

"Um, who?"

Her eyebrows knitted together as she looked in horror. "Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N' Roses, duh." Her eyes were wide, waiting for my answer.

"Uh, I'm sorry, I've never heard—"

"Do you live under a rock?"

"I, uh, I don't really listen to the radio."

She turned to me and placed her headphones on my head. "If we are roommates, considering we are the two nerdiest looking girls here, well, you more than me," she observed, "then you need to know who they are. My mother wanted me to room with my horrible cousin, but there is no way in hell I am doing that." She shook her head and pressed play as she pointed to the name of the song on the plastic case—"November Rain."

I read the case as a symphony began to play. It was beautiful, and when it was over, I asked Shannon if she could play it again. That made her smile. It seemed I'd just made my first friend on the trip.

Shannon and I spoke a few times briefly when she switched tapes. After a few pitstops, we had finally arrived at the mission.

Welcome signs and a station with sweet tea, water, lemonade, and snacks greeted us. A very excited-looking couple was introducing themselves to each person as they entered the area.

"Welcome, I'm Paul. This is my wife, Catherine, and this beautiful little angel hiding behind her mother is our daughter, Anabelle. We're the directors of the mission camp."